Cover for air bag device

ABSTRACT

A cover for an air bag device that enables an emblem to be secured to the cover in an extremely simple manner. The cover (module cover) has a recess for receiving the emblem. An extension of the emblem is extended through a hole in the cover. A distal end of the extension is bent along a rear side of the cover. A rib is pressed and welded by a thermal or ultrasonic welding element to form a welding body. The welding body covers the distal end of the extension.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser.No. 10/750,944, filed Jan. 5, 2004, which in turn is a divisionalapplication of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/731,988, filed Dec. 8, 2000and also claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/185,743 entitled “A Structure for Mounting anEmblem on a Steering Wheel”, filed Feb. 29, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to covers for air bag devices that protectpassengers of high speed moving bodies, such as vehicles, and moreparticularly, to covers having an emblem. More specifically, the presentinvention relates to an improved structure for attaching the emblem inthe cover.

Air bag devices, such as driver seat air bag devices and passenger seatair bag devices, are widely used to protect passengers from the impactproduced during a vehicle collision. A driver seat air bag device istypically mounted on a boss of a steering wheel and includes a gasinjecting inflator, an air bag, and a cover accommodating the air bag ina folded state. During collision of the vehicle, the gas injected fromthe inflator inflates the air bag. This ruptures the cover, which ismade of a soft resin, and forms an opening in the cover. Accordingly,the air bag is inflated through the opening toward the vehicle's driver.

The air bag devices, particularly those for the drivers, often include acover having an ornament plate, which is called an emblem. One knownstructure for attaching the emblem on the cover (for example, asdescribed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 10-273004 and11-189119) includes a recess formed in a front side of the cover and aplurality of through holes each extending through a wall of the recess.The recess receives the emblem having a plurality of projectionsprojecting rearward from the emblem. Each projection is extended throughthe associated through hole, and a distal end of the projection is bentalong an inner side of the cover.

That is, in this structure, the projections of the emblem are firstextended through the associated holes extending through the cover. Next,the distal ends of the projections are bent toward one another such thatthe distal ends are overlapped with one another. The overlapped portionof the projections are then riveted together to secure the emblem to thecover.

In this structure, in which the projections are extended through theholes, the projections are bent along the inner side of the cover, andthe distal ends of the projections are riveted together, thus securingthe emblem to the cover, the distal ends of the projections must beoverlapped with one another accurately before riveting these ends. Sincethe distal ends are relatively small, the procedure is extremelycomplicated.

Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide acover for an air bag device that facilitates the connection of theemblem to the cover.

Further, in the above emblem attaching structure, the projections maybecome loose in the holes, causing the emblem to become loose from thecover.

Thus, it is another objective of the present invention to provide acover for an air bag device that securely connects an emblem to thecover and prevents loosening of the cover.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A cover for an air bag device according to the present inventionincludes an emblem attached to an outer side of the air bag device,wherein the emblem includes a main plate arranged on an outer side ofthe cover and a connecting extension projecting from an outer peripheryof the main plate in a rearward direction of the emblem, and theextension is extended through a hole extending through the cover and adistal end of the extension is bent. The cover is configured so that thedistal end of the extension is secured to the cover by means of awelding body.

In the cover for the air bag device, after the extension is extendedthrough the hole of the cover and is bent, the extension is fixed bymeans of welding. This secures the emblem to the cover. This facilitatesattachment of the emblem to the cover. Further, the extension is coveredby the welding body to prevent the extension from directly contactingthe emblem. In addition, since the extension is fixed by the weldingbody, the emblem is prevented from becoming loose.

A cover for an air bag device according to the present invention is acover for an air bag device having an emblem attached to an outer sideof the air bag device, wherein the emblem includes a main plate arrangedon an outer side of the cover and a connecting extension projecting froman outer periphery of the main plate in a rearward direction of theemblem, and the extension is extended through a hole extending throughthe cover and a distal end of the extension is bent. The cover ischaracterized in that a projection or a modified portion is provided ina portion of the extension received in the hole, and the projection orthe modified portion is pressed against a wall of the hole.

In the cover for the air bag device, the extension closely contacts thewall of the hole to prevent the emblem from becoming loose.

A cover for an air bag device according to the present invention is acover for an air bag device having an emblem attached to an outer sideof the air bag device, wherein the emblem includes a main plate arrangedon an outer side of the cover and a connecting extension projecting froman outer periphery of the main plate in a rearward direction of theemblem, and the extension is extended through a hole extending throughthe cover and a distal end of the extension is bent. The cover ischaracterized in that the extension is shaped as a thin plate, the holeis shaped as a slit, a longitudinal direction of the slit-like holeextends diagonally with respect to a width direction of the thinplate-like extension, and opposite ends of the extension in the widthdirection are pressed against corners of a wall of the hole.

In the cover for the air bag device, the opposite ends of the extensionclosely contact the corners of the wall of the hole, thus preventing theemblem from becoming loose.

A cover for an air bag device according to the present invention is acover for an air bag device having an emblem attached to an outer sideof the air bag device, wherein the emblem includes a main plate arrangedon an outer side of the cover and a connecting extension projecting froman outer periphery of the main plate in a rearward direction of theemblem, and the extension is extended through a hole extending throughthe cover and a distal end of the extension is bent. The cover ischaracterized in that the extension is shaped as a thin plate, the holeis shaped as a slit, an opening dimension of the slit-like hole in alateral direction is smaller than a thickness of the extension when theextension is not extended through the hole, and the extension is clampedby a wall of the hole.

In the cover for the air bag device, the extension is clamped by theslit-like hole and is thus prevented from moving in the hole. Thisprevents the emblem from becoming loose.

A cover for an air bag device according to the present invention is acover for an air bag device having an emblem attached to an outer sideof the air bag device, wherein the emblem includes a main plate arrangedon an outer side of the cover and a connecting extension projecting froman outer periphery of the main plate in a rearward direction of theemblem, and the extension is extended through a hole extending throughthe cover and a distal end of the extension is bent. The cover ischaracterized in that the hole is shaped as a slit, and sides of theextension are pressed against longitudinal ends of the hole.

In the cover for the air bag device, the sides of the extension arepressed against the ends of the hole, thus preventing the emblem frombecoming loose.

A cover for an air bag device according to the present invention is acover for an air bag device having an emblem attached to an outer sideof the air bag device, wherein the emblem includes a main plate arrangedon an outer side of the cover and a connecting extension projecting froman outer periphery of the main plate in a rearward direction of theemblem, and the extension is extended through a hole extending throughthe cover and a distal end of the extension is bent. The cover ischaracterized in that a projection abutting against a rear side of theemblem in the vicinity of the extension is formed integrally with thecover.

In the cover for the air bag device, a front side portion of the emblemnear the extension is prevented from being bent together with theextension when the extension is bent. Accordingly, the appearance of theemblem attached to the cover is enhanced.

A cover for an air bag device according to the present invention is acover for an air bag device having an emblem attached to an outer sideof the air bag device, wherein the emblem includes a main plate arrangedon an outer side of the cover and a connecting extension projecting froman outer periphery of the main plate in a rearward direction of theemblem, and the extension is extended through a hole extending throughthe cover and a distal end of the extension is bent. The cover ischaracterized in that an extended portion or a bent portion is providedin the extension for engaging with an edge of the hole at a rear side ofthe cover.

In the cover for the air bag device, the extension having the extendedportion is extended through the hole such that the extension is notseparated from the hole. This improves the work efficiency for attachingthe emblem on the cover.

In this case, if a projection abutting against a front side of the coverprojects from an outer periphery of the cover, the emblem is reliablyprevented from becoming loose in a direction perpendicular to the frontside of the cover (attaching direction).

A cover for an air bag device according to the present invention is acover for an air bag device having an emblem attached to an outer sideof the air bag device, wherein the emblem includes a main plate arrangedon an outer side of the cover and a connecting extension projecting froman outer periphery of the main plate in a rearward direction of theemblem, and the extension is extended through a hole extending throughthe cover and a distal end of the extension is bent. The cover ischaracterized in that an engaging portion with which the bent distal endof the extension engages is provided on a rear side of the cover.

In the cover for the air bag device, the extension is secured by bendingthe extension to engage the extension with the engaging portion.Afterwards, the extension may be secured by a welding body.

A cover for an air bag device according to the present invention is acover for an air bag device having an emblem including a main plate anda plurality of tabs extending in different direction separating from themain plate, characterized in that an opening extends through the coverwith the main plate fitted in the opening from the rear side of thecover, and the tab is embedded in the cover.

In the cover for the air bag device, the tab is embedded in the coversuch that the emblem is reliably secured to the cover.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only,and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, as aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following description, appendedclaims, and the accompanying exemplary embodiments shown in thedrawings, which are briefly described below.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a cover for an airbagdevice having an emblem according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged exploded perspective view showing the emblem andthe cover of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the emblem of FIG. 1viewed from a rear side of the cover.

FIG. 4 is an cross-sectional view taken along line IV—IV of FIG. 3.

FIGS. 5( a), 5(b) and 5(c) are cross-sectional views taken along lineV—V of FIG. 3 showing a sequential procedure for attaching the emblem onthe cover.

FIG. 6( a) is a perspective view showing an extension of an emblemaccording to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6( b) is a cross-sectional view of the extension of FIG. 6( a)taken along line B—B.

FIG. 6( c) is a cross-sectional view of the extension of FIG. 6( a)taken along line B—B showing the extension installed in a cover.

FIG. 7( a) is a perspective view showing an extension of an emblemaccording to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7( b) is a cross-sectional view of the extension of FIG. 7( a)taken along line B—B.

FIG. 7( c) is a cross-sectional view of the extension of FIG. 7( a)taken along line B—B showing the extension installed in a cover.

FIG. 8( a) is an exploded partial perspective view of an extension of anemblem and a cover according to an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8( b) is a cross-sectional view of the extension and cover of FIG.8( a) taken along line B—B, showing the extension installed in thecover.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing an extension of an emblem and aportion of the cover to which the emblem is attached according toanother alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10( a) is a perspective view of an emblem according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10( b) is a cross-sectional view showing the emblem of FIG. 10( a)installed in a cover.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an emblem installed in a coveraccording to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12( a) is an cross-sectional view showing an emblem attached to acover according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12( b) is a cross-sectional view take along line B—B of 12(a).

FIG. 13( a) a perspective view of an emblem according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13( b) is a partial cross-sectional view of the emblem of FIG. 13(a) showing a single extension installed in a cover.

FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view of the emblem of FIG. 13( a)showing a single extension installed in a cover.

FIG. 15( a) is a perspective view of a circular emblem according to analternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15( b) is bottom plan view of the circular emblem of FIG. 15( b).

FIG. 16 is a bottom plan view showing a circular emblem according to analternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a partial perspective view showing a projection for a coveraccording to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18( a) is a perspective view showing an extension of an emblemaccording to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18( b) is a front plan view of the extension of FIG. 18( a) showingthe emblem installed in a cover.

FIG. 18( c) is a cross-sectional view of the emblem of FIG. 18( a) takenthrough line A—A.

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view showing the extension of FIG.18( a) and the rear side of the cover.

FIG. 20( a) is a perspective view showing an extension of an emblemaccording to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 20( b) and 20(c) are cross-sectional views of the extension ofFIG. 20( a) taken through line A—A, showing the procedure for securingthe extension to the cover.

FIG. 21( a) is a cross-sectional view of an emblem and cover accordingto an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 (b) is a cross-sectional view of the emblem and cover of FIG. 21(a) showing the emblem secured to the cover.

FIG. 22( a) is an exploded partial perspective view of an emblem andcover showing an extension according to an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 22( b) is a cross-sectional view of the extension and cover of FIG.22( a) taken through line A—A.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the cover of FIG. 22( a) showing analternative embodiment of an extension according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the cover of FIG. 22( a) showing analternative embodiment of an extension according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 25( a) is a perspective view of an emblem according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25( b) is a partial cross-sectional view showing the emblem of FIG.25( a) installed in a cover.

FIG. 26( a) is a perspective view of an emblem according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26( b) is a partial cross-sectional view showing the emblem of FIG.26( a) installed in a cover.

FIG. 26( c) is a cross-sectional view showing the emblem of FIG. 26( a)welded to the cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As described further below, the present invention secures an emblem to acover firmly and easily. An embodiment of the present invention will nowbe described with reference to the accompanying drawings

A cover 1 is a module cover for a driver seat air bag device and islocated in the middle of a steering wheel facing the driver. The cover 1is formed of, for example, thermoplastic synthetic resin throughinjection molding. As shown in FIG. 1, a pair of tearing lines 1 a, 1 bare formed in an inner side of the cover 1. When an air bag is inflated,the cover 1 is ruptured along the tearing lines 1 a, 1 b. A recess 2 isprovided in a front side of the cover 1 for receiving an emblem 4.

As shown in FIG. 1, the emblem 4 may be substantially rectangular withthe recess 2 having the same shape. However, it is obvious that theemblem 4 is not restricted to this shape. A plurality of holes 3 areprovided along a side wall of the recess 2. The holes 3 extend throughthe cover 1, thus reaching a rear side of the cover 1. The emblem 4 hasa plurality of extensions 5 that extend through the associated holes 3when the emblem 4 is installed in the cover.

The emblem 4 includes a side wall formed by bending an entire peripheryof the emblem 4 rearward (i.e., away from the driver) in a wall-likemanner. The extensions 5 project rearward from a distal end (rear end)of the side wall.

As shown in FIG. 2, six extensions 5 and six holes 7 are provided.However, it is obvious that the number of the extensions 5 and the holes6 are not restricted.

The emblem 4 may be formed from a metal plate of aluminum alloy or thelike. Each extension 5 is formed as a tab-like piece formed from a thinplate. A hole 6 is formed in the extension 5.

Although omitted in FIG. 1 for the sake of brevity, a projection 20shown in FIG. 2 may project from a bottom of the recess 2 of thisembodiment. The projection 20 abuts against a rear side of the emblem 4to support the emblem 4. The projection 20 includes a frame 21 and aplurality of rails 22. The frame 21 extends along the side wall of therecess 2. The rails 22 extend parallel with one another and are arrangedwithin the frame 21.

As shown in FIG. 3 a plurality of welding ribs 7 may be provided on therear side of the cover 1 to surround each hole 3 on three sides.Alternatively, the number of the welding ribs 7 may be one, two, orfour.

During assembly, the extensions 5 of the emblem 4 are first extendedthrough the associated holes 3, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5( a). Next, adistal end of each extension 5 is bent along the rear side of the cover1, as shown in FIG. 5( b). Subsequently, a welding element 8 for thermalwelding or ultrasonic welding is pressed against the ribs 7, thusbending the ribs 7 to cover the associated extensions 5. The ribs 7 arethen subjected to thermal welding or ultrasonic welding. The bent distalend of each extension 5 is thus covered by the associated ribs 7. Theribs 7 are welded on the rear side of the cover 1.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5( c), a welded body 9 formed through thewelding of the ribs 7 covers the distal ends of the extensions 5. Thewelded body 9 forms an integral body with the cover 1. This firmlysecures the extensions 5 to the cover 1. Further, some of the weldedbody 9 enters the hole 6 of each extension 5 and integrates with thecover 1. This further rigidly secures the extensions 5 to the cover 1.

A slanted cut-away portion 7 a is formed at a distal end of each rib 7,and the welding element 8 includes projections 8 a. When the weldingelement 8 is pressed against the ribs 7, the projections 8 a bend theassociated cut-away portions 7 a to overlap the extensions 5.

As shown in FIGS. 6–8, the present invention may also be configured suchthat each extension 5 extended through the associated hole 3 may bepressed against a wall of the hole 3, thus preventing the emblem 4 frombecoming loose.

As shown in FIG. 6( b), opposite sides 5 a of each extension 5A are bentin a slanted manner. The sides 5 a are thus pressed against a wall ofthe hole 3, while an intermediate portion of the extension 5A is pressedagainst an opposite wall of the hole 3, as shown in FIG. 6( c).

As shown in FIG. 7, an extension 5B may include a projection 5 b thatprojects from the extension 5B and extends rearward in a projectingdirection of the extension 5B. The projection 5 b, as shown in FIG. 7(b), abuts against a wall of the hole 3, and the remaining portion of theextension 5B abuts against an opposite wall of the hole 3.

As shown in FIGS. 8( a) and 8(b), a hole 3A may be located slightlyoffset with respect to a side of the extension 5. More specifically,although the holes 3 of the aforementioned embodiments each extend alongthe wall 2D of the recess 2, the holes 3A of FIG. 8( a) each extenddiagonally with respect to the direction in which the wall 2D extends.Thus, as shown in FIG. 8( b), an edge portion of the extension 5 abutsagainst a corner of the hole 3A, and an opposite edge portion of theextension 5 abuts against a diagonally opposing corner of the hole 3A.This structure secures the extension 5 in the hole 3A in a fixed manner.

As shown in FIG. 9, a hole 3B has an opening area (a width in athickness direction of the extension 5) decreasing toward a lower end ofthe hole 3B. An opening area t at the lower end of the hole 3B issmaller than the thickness of the extension 5. Thus, extension 5 fitsfirmly in the hole 3B.

As shown in FIGS. 10( a) and 10(b), facing edge portions of adjacentextensions 5J extend diagonally such that the distance between thediagonal edge portions increases toward the distal ends of theextensions 5J. As shown in FIG. 10( b), when each extension 5J isextended through the associated hole 3, the diagonal edge portion of theextension 5J abuts against a longitudinal end wall of the hole 3 (thewall of the hole 3 against which the diagonal edge portion abuts islocated closest to the adjacent hole 3). This structure prevents theextensions 5J from being displaced.

Further, as shown in the alternative embodiment of FIG. 11, an edgeportion of each extension 5K that opposes an edge portion of theextension 5K facing an adjacent extension 5K extends diagonally. Thedistance between the diagonal edge portions decreases toward the distalends of the extensions 5K. Like the extensions 5J of FIGS. 10( a) and10(b), when each extension 5K is extended through the associated hole 3,the diagonal edge portion of each extension 5K abuts against alongitudinal end wall of the associated hole 3 (the wall of the hole 3against which the diagonal edge portion abuts is located farthest fromthe adjacent hole 3). This structure prevents the extensions 5K frombeing displaced.

As shown in FIGS. 12( a) and 12(b), each extension 5L abuts against awall of a hole 3L (the wall against which the extension 5L abuts islocated farthest from an adjacent hole 3L). This structure prevents theemblem from being displaced upward or downward, as viewed in FIG. 12(b). Alternatively, the extension 5L may abut against a wall of the hole3L located closest to the adjacent hole 3L.

Further, since each extension 5M is securely fitted in a hole 3M, theemblem is prevented from being displaced rightward or leftward, asviewed in FIG. 12( b). That is, opposite ends of the extension 5M eachabut against a longitudinal end wall of the associated hole 3M.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 13, it is preferred that a distal end ofeach extension 5M is cornered. This enables the extension 5M to besmoothly extended through the associated hole 3M. Further, the extension5M is securely fitted in the hole 3M when the extension 5M is deeplyextended through the hole 3M.

In the extension 5M, both sides of the distal end is cut diagonally, asshown in FIG. 13. However, as shown in FIG. 14, only one side of adistal end of an extension 5N, which is extended through the hole 3M,may be cut diagonally.

It is preferred that the aforementioned structures for fitting theextensions securely in the holes are used for a circular emblem 4C, asshown in FIG. 15. The emblem 4C usually includes a mark representing amanufacturer or model name (in FIG. 15, the mark is “A”). When the markincludes letters like in this case, it is necessary to attach the emblemaccurately on the cover such that the mark is oriented correctly. Inthis case, the emblem 4 may include the extensions 5M having anincreased basal dimension W₁ and the extensions 5L having a decreasedbasal dimension W₂. Further, the cover includes enlarged holes (holeshaving an increased longitudinal dimension) in which only the enlargedextensions 5M are securely fitted. This structure enables the emblem 4to be positioned accurately.

If the two enlarged extensions 5M radially oppose each other as shown inFIGS. 15( a) and 15(b), the emblem 4C could be positioned with respectto the cover possibly in a reversed manner. However, if the two enlargedextensions 5M are located adjacent to each other, like an emblem 4Dshown in FIG. 16, the emblem 4D is reliably attached to the cover in anaccurate orientation. Although not illustrated, an extension 52 having adecreased basal dimension may be located between the two enlargedextensions 5M.

Further, in the present invention, a plurality of supports 21T may beformed along the frame 21 of the projection 20, as shown in FIG. 17. Thesupports 21T support a portion from which the extensions 5 project (asindicated by the reference numeral 5W in FIG. 2). This prevents theportion 5W from being bent together with the extensions 5, when thedistal ends of the extensions 5 are bent with respect to the holes 3.

Also, the present invention may include a structure preventing theextensions 5 from separating from the holes 3. FIGS. 18 to 26 disclosevarious examples of this structure.

As shown in FIGS. 18( a) and 18(b), a plurality of tooth-likeprojections 10 project from opposite sides of an extension 5P. When theextension 5P is extended through the hole 3, the projections 10 isstopped by a rear edge of the wall of the hole 3. This stops theextension 5P from being separated from the hole 3. The extension 5P isthen bent as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 18( c), and is welded asnecessary, as aforementioned. Instead of welding, a pin may be providedon the rear side of the cover 1, and the pin is fitted in a hole 6 ofthe extension 5P.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the rear side of the cover 1including pins 11. In this embodiment, a rib 12 is located around thepins 11. The rib 12 defines a recess sized and shaped to match theextension 5P. The extension 5P is bent such that the pins 11 areextended through the holes 6 of the rib 12. Afterwards, the rib 12 andthe pins 11 are welded to firmly secure the extension 5P.

As shown in FIGS. 20( a) and 20(b), an extension 5Q includes a bentportion 13 to form an L shape together with the extension 5Q. When theextension 5Q is extended through the hole 3, the bent portion 13 iselastically deformed. After being fit into the hole 3, the bent portion13 returns to its original shape. As shown in FIG. 20( c), theassociated ribs 7 may be welded to form a welding body 9 that firmlysecures the emblem 4 to the cover 1.

As shown in FIGS. 21( a) and 21(b), the emblem 4 may have an extension5R that is bent outward with respect to the emblem 4. A distal end ofthe extension 5R is engaged with a tearing line 1 b. The remainingextensions 5 are bent inward with respect to the middle of the emblem 4,like the aforementioned embodiments. The ribs 7 are then subjected towelding.

As shown in FIGS. 22( a) and 22(b), an extension 5S is first extendedthrough the hole 3. A distal end of the extension 5S is then bent sothat the pins 11 of the cover 1 are positioned through the holes 6 ofthe extension 5S thereby securing the extension 5S to the cover 1.

In this case, the pins 11 are generally not welded. However, each pin 11may be welded to form a welding body 15, as shown in FIG. 23. Further,as shown in FIG. 24, a rib may be provided in the vicinity of a pin 11.The rib is welded to form a welding body 16. The extension 5S is thussecured by the rib and the pin 11. In addition, the extension 5S may besecured by both the welding body 15 of FIG. 23 and the welding body 16of FIG. 24.

As shown in FIGS. 25( a) and 25(b), an extension 5T of the presentinvention may include extended portions 17. When the extension 5T isextended through the hole 3, each extended portion 17 is stopped by therear edge of the wall of the hole 3. Further, projected portions 18 mayextend from an end of the emblem 4 in the same direction as thedirection in which each extension 5T extends.

The projected portions 18 abut against the front side of the cover 1,while the extended portions 17 abut against the rear side of the cover1. This structure prevents the emblem 4 from moving (becoming loose)upward or downward as viewed in FIG. 25( b). Further, a distal end ofeach projected portion 18 may be embedded in the cover 1.

As shown in FIG. 26( a), an emblem 26 includes a main plate 26 a, walls26 b extending downward from a periphery of the main plate 26 a, andtabs 26 c each extending from a distal end of the associated wall 26 b.Each tab 26 c extends substantially parallel with the main plate 26 aand outward with respect to the emblem 26. A hole 26 d extends throughthe tab 26 c. An opening 31 is formed in a cover 30 for receiving themain plate 26 a of the emblem 26. Grooves 32 are formed in a rear sideof the cover 30 and extend from the opening 31 in four directions. A pin33 is formed in the wall of each groove 32. A rib 34 extends along thegroove 32.

To attach the emblem 26 on the cover 30, the main plate 26 a is fittedin the opening 31 from the rear side of the cover 30, as shown in FIG.26( b). The tabs 26 c are then fitted in the associated grooves 32 suchthat each pin 33 is extended through the associated hole 26 d.Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 26( c), each pin 33 and each rib 34 arewelded to form a welding body 35 that covers each tab 26 c. The emblem26 is thus secured to the cover 30. According to the procedure shown inFIG. 26, the cover 30 having the emblem 26 is manufactured in arelatively simple manner, as compared to a procedure in which the emblem26 is inserted in the cover 30 during a molding process. Further, if theemblem 26 is inserted in the cover 30 during a molding process, theemblem 26 is first placed in a metal mold. Resin, or the material of thecover 30, is then injected in the mold to form the cover 30.

1. A cover for an air bag device comprising: an emblem attached to anouter side of the cover, the emblem including: a main plate arranged tothe outer side of the cover; and a plurality of connecting extensionshaving a preformed, bent L-shaped portion, projecting from an outerperiphery of the main plate in a rearward direction of the emblem;wherein each of the plurality of connecting extensions extend througheach of an associated plurality of slit-shaped holes in the cover.
 2. Acover according to claim 1, wherein when each of the plurality ofconnecting extensions is extended through one of the associatedplurality of holes, the preformed, bent L-shaped portion is elasticallydeformed and returns to its original shape after being fit into theslit-shaped hole.
 3. A cover according to claim 2, wherein a weldingbody firmly secures each of the plurality of connecting extensions inplace.
 4. An airbag device comprising: a cover comprising an emblemattached to an outer side of the cover, the emblem including: a mainplate arranged to the outer side of the cover; and a plurality ofconnecting extensions having a preformed, bent L-shaped portion,projecting from an outer periphery of the main plate in a rearwarddirection of the emblem; wherein each of the plurality of connectingextensions extend through each of an associated plurality of slit-shapedholes in the cover.
 5. An airbag device according to claim 4, whereinwhen each of the plurality of connecting extensions is extended throughone of the associated plurality of holes, the preformed bent L-shapedportion is elastically deformed and returns to its original shape afterbeing fit into the slit-shaped hole.
 6. An airbag device according toclaim 4, wherein a welding body firmly secures each of the plurality ofconnecting extensions in place.